So, I am working with a colleague to develop a podcast. We are both retired psychiatrists. Even though we are both retired we still have an interest in health promotion. In our podcasts (Mind, Mood, and Medicine with Mark and Mike) we talk about a variety of issues. We were in the midst of a passionate discussion on a fascinating topic (ok, maybe it wasn’t that intense or that fascinating) when I explained that I had to end earlier than anticipated. The reason for my early departure was that I had signed up to do some volunteer work, and it was time to get started.
My assignment for the day was to assist in producing thousands and thousands of bottles of Raspberry jam. To accomplish this formidable task, I was assisted by several other people assigned to my particular workstation. Those at my station were to empty out large boxes full of empty plastic containers. Those empty containers were to be placed on a conveyor system leading to where they would be filled with delicious Raspberry jam. Altogether there were probably 30 of us working together, but at my station there were four others. I found myself working alongside several other interesting volunteers. One of them is a leader in her church who, because of her position in her church, regularly searches out and helps those who are struggling to get by. Also at our same station was a retired Sergeant from the Sheriff’s department who previously had worked in the county jail, where I once worked. And the final member of my team was a middle-aged man lacking teeth (probably resulting from methamphetamine abuse, something he acknowledged), who himself had spent time in jail, but not as an employee. He was a happy and pleasant associate in this endeavor and was there as part of his court mandated community service. I had also spent time in jail, however I was there in a professional capacity and was grateful to be able to leave at the end of each day. I thought to myself, “what an interesting assortment of folks, all working together to do something good.”
So, for several hours we worked together to assist in the production of thousands of bottles of delicious Raspberry jam. I’ve done this in the past and was rewarded with a bottle of the delicious jam. But not this time – on this occasion, after having been informed that there is a large demand, I was sad to learn I would not receive even one bottle of delicious jam. Oh well. However, I did find rewards in other ways. It was quite delightful to spend time with people from different walks of life as we worked together in a charitable way to help others. The jam produced by this operation would likely be sent all over the country. Some of it would be purchased, but most of it would be donated to people in need through various charitable organizations. It was wonderful to be part of such an operation. And I know that this is a very small part of the overall operation. A few months earlier, I participated in a similar project, but that time it was for applesauce. And again, we made thousands and thousands of jars of applesauce. I’ve also been similarly involved in the production of furniture, some of which would be sold but most of it would be given away.
So, these experiences have led me to wonder about the benefits of volunteerism. For me these opportunities are usually not convenient, and I am usually not eager to participate. But when I’m there it is enjoyable, and when it is completed I’m left feeling a little happier and a little more hopeful.
In addition to the benefit derived by the recipients of that coveted raspberry jam, I believe there are benefits derived by the volunteers. Both the served and the servers benefit.
Research validates my belief. I looked specifically at the benefits of volunteerism for older adults and here are some of the results.
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- Older adults who volunteer are likely to experience greater life satisfaction, a greater sense of purpose, fewer depressive symptoms, more optimism, and less loneliness.
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- Volunteers experience improved self-esteem, better social connectedness, and improved physical functioning.
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- Frequent volunteering is associated with slower biological aging.
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- The benefits of volunteering are most evident with regular participation. Also, feeling appreciated adds to the pay off. Not surprisingly, the benefits may fade if the volunteering stops.
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- Volunteering is an activity that physicians might suggest to their willing and able patients as a way of simultaneously enhancing health and society.
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- Certain aspects of volunteering might be especially beneficial to the well-being of older people. That these effects stop when volunteering stops suggest a causal element to this relationship.
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- Volunteers demonstrated significant improvements in life satisfaction, purpose in life, and personal growth scores over a 12-month period relative to those in the control condition who did no volunteering.
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- Findings provide evidence of a causal relationship between commencing volunteering and improvements in psychosocial health among older adults and indicate that encouraging participation in this activity could constitute an effective healthy aging intervention.
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- Formal volunteering can aid successful role substitution and compensation, especially after retirement. This may prevent loneliness and increase well-being in older age.
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- A study found that frequent volunteering may lead to decelerated epigenetic aging, potentially offering a public health intervention to enhance health and quality of life among older adults.
- Further research is needed to confirm these findings and to understand how volunteering might differentially impact retired and working people.
Thanks for reading this blog. I hope it stirred some good thoughts. Feel free to share your own experiences as a volunteer.
I’ve included some references for those curious enough to investigate further.
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1.Volunteering and Subsequent Health and Well-Being in Older Adults: An Outcome-Wide Longitudinal Approach.
Kim ES, Whillans AV, Lee MT, Chen Y, VanderWeele TJ.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2020;59(2):176-186. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2020.03.004.
2.The Impact of Volunteering and Its Characteristics on Well-Being After State Pension Age: Longitudinal Evidence From the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing.
Matthews K, Nazroo J.
The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences. 2021;76(3):632-641. doi:10.1093/geronb/gbaa146.
Leading Journal
3.Longitudinal Associations Between Formal Volunteering and Well-Being Among Retired Older People: Follow-Up Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial.
Jongenelis MI, Jackson B, Newton RU, Pettigrew S.
Aging & Mental Health. 2022;26(2):368-375. doi:10.1080/13607863.2021.1884845.
4.Volunteering, Self-Perceptions of Aging, and Mental Health in Later Life.
Huo M, Miller LMS, Kim K, Liu S.
The Gerontologist. 2021;61(7):1131-1140. doi:10.1093/geront/gnaa164.
5.Well-Being in Middle-Aged and Older Adults Who Volunteer: A Qualitative Network Analysis.
Steinhoff P, Ellwardt L, Wermeyer M.
Aging & Mental Health. 2025;29(2):343-351. doi:10.1080/13607863.2024.2393250.
New Research
6.s Social Participation Associated With Successful Aging Among Older Canadians? Findings From the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA).
Ho M, Pullenayegum E, Fuller-Thomson E.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2023;20(12):6058. doi:10.3390/ijerph20126058.
7.A Randomized Controlled Trial and Pragmatic Analysis of the Effects of Volunteering on the Health and Well-Being of Older People.
Pettigrew S, Jongenelis MI, Jackson B, Warburton J, Newton RU.
Aging Clinical and Experimental Research. 2020;32(4):711-721. doi:10.1007/s40520-019-01241-3.
8.Does Volunteering Reduce Epigenetic Age Acceleration Among Retired and Working Older Adults? Results From the Health and Retirement Study.
Kim S, Halvorsen C, Potter C, Faul J.
Social Science & Medicine (1982). 2025;364:117501. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.117501.
New Research
9.Volunteering Transitions and Change in Quality of Life Among Older Adults: A Mixed Methods Research.
Cattagni Kleiner A, Henchoz Y, Fustinoni S, Seematter-Bagnoud L.
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics. 2022 Jan-Feb;98:104556. doi:10.1016/j.archger.2021.104556.
10.Well-Being and Volunteering: Evidence From Aging Societies in Asia.
Huang LH.
Social Science & Medicine (1982). 2019;229:172-180. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.09.004.al plan considerations
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